explanation of county charter amendments proposed ... - Kauai County

County of Kaua‘i Charter Review Commission
4444 Rice Street, Suite 150
Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i 96766
EXPLANATION OF COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS
PROPOSED IN THE 2010 GENERAL ELECTION
RELATING TO COUNTY COUNCIL TERMS
“Shall the term of office for councilmembers be extended from two to four years with a limit of two consecutive four year
terms?” Vote YES or NO
Background: Currently, councilmembers can serve a maximum of four consecutive two year terms.
Explanation: This proposed Charter amendment will allow councilmembers to serve two consecutive four
year terms. Councilmembers who have already served two consecutive four year terms may only seek
reelection to the office of County Council after one election cycle has elapsed.
RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS FOR MANAGING DIRECTOR
“Shall the Mayor’s Administrative Assistant, whose title shall be changed to Managing Director, be required to have
appropriate job qualifications and perform certain duties?” Vote YES or NO
Background: Kaua‘i is the only County with an Administrative Assistant rather than a Managing Director.
Currently, the Administrative Assistant must be 30 years of age and meet all requirements as a registered
voter on Kaua‘i for at least three years prior to assuming the job.
Explanation: This proposed Charter amendment changes the Administrative Assistant title to Managing
Director and would add the following minimum qualifications: (1) Bachelor’s degree from an accredited
institution in public administration, business, or a related field and (2) At least five years experience in an
administrative or managerial position.
The amendment also clarifies the duties of the Managing Director to include: (1) Serve as the Mayor’s
principal administrative aide; (2) Oversee the administrative functioning of all administrative
departments; (3) Prescribe administrative standards and evaluate the performance of all departments
under the Director’s oversight; (4) Attend County Council meetings and provide information and reports
as required; and (5) Perform other duties as required by the Charter or assigned by the Mayor.
RELATING TO FINANCIAL PROCEDURES
“Shall the Charter provisions relating to centralized purchasing and disposition of surplus property be changed to conform
with State law?” Vote YES or NO
Background: Several existing Charter requirements regarding the County’s financial procedures are
outdated and have never been changed since they were approved in 1969.
Explanation: This proposed Charter amendment updates the County’s financial procedures regarding centralized
purchasing and disposition of surplus property to conform to current State law.

RELATING TO BIDDING REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTY CONTRACTS
“Shall the dollar limit without competitive bidding for contracts with County officers, employees or firms in which an officer
or employee has a substantial interest, be increased from $500 to $1,000?” Vote YES or NO
Background: The Charter currently requires a competitive bid process whenever the County enters into a
contract of $500 or more with a County officer or employee or a company in which an officer or employee
has ownership or substantial interest.
Explanation: This proposed Charter amendment increases the dollar amount required for competitive
bidding from $500 to $1,000 when the County enters into contracts with a County officer or employee or a
company in which an officer or employee has ownership or substantial interest. (Emphasis added)
RELATING TO POST EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTY CONTRACTS
“Shall the County extend from six months to one year the timeframe prohibiting the County from entering into a contract
with a former County employee or a firm that is represented by a former County employee, for those contracts where the
former County employee participated in the subject matter while employed with the County?” Vote YES or NO
Background: The Charter currently prohibits the County from entering into a contract with a former County
employee or firm that is represented by a former employee for a period of six months where the former
employee participated in the matter while employed with the County.
Explanation: This proposed Charter amendment increases the timeframe from six months to one year in
which the County is prohibited from entering into a contract with a former County employee or firm that is
represented by a former employee where the former employee participated in the matter while employed with
the County. (Emphasis added)
RELATING TO DISCLOSURES
“Shall any employee delegated to act on behalf of the Director or Deputy Director of Finance be required to file a
disclosure statement with the County Board of Ethics?” Vote YES or NO
Background: The Purchasing Agent is the only non-appointed County employee who is required to file a
disclosure statement with the County Board of Ethics.
Explanation: This proposed Charter amendment expands the requirement for those who must file a
disclosure statement with the County Board of Ethics to include any County employee who is delegated to
act on behalf of the Finance Director or Deputy Finance Director. The disclosure statement includes
information on the employee’s employment, finances, business interests and real estate holdings.
RELATING TO TIME EXTENSION FOR ETHICS ADVISORY OPINIONS
“Shall the time in which the County Board of Ethics has to render advisory opinions be extended from 30 days to 45 days,
which opinions shall be binding on the Board, unless changed or revoked by the Board?” Vote YES or NO
Background: The Board of Ethics is currently required to render an advisory opinion within 30 days from
the date of the initial request. Because the Board of Ethics typically meets monthly, it can be difficult to
gather information and conduct the research necessary to render an advisory opinion within 30 days of the
request date.
Explanation: This proposed Charter amendment extends the time in which the Board of Ethics must
render advisory opinions from 30 days to 45 days and requires such opinions to be binding on the Board until
they are amended or revoked.
For complete information or copies on Charter Amendment proposals, please go to
www.kauai.gov/boardsandcommissions and click on “Charter Review Commission” or contact the Office of
Boards and Commissions at 241-4919 or the Elections Division at 241-4800 or TTY at 241-5116 during normal
business hours.